Rookies’ Diary: Couples

As the title indicated, I want to focus on the couples in the drama for this post. I think what made this drama good for me was having romance BUT did not focus only on one or two couples yet extended to include stories involving all couples–whether major or minor, making it even more realistic. Not to mention how it didn’t just focus on the ‘love’ part and astray from the whole military theme. The romance was only a part of it, and that was enough for me.

The following will include all possible couples from part 1 and 2–though I won’t include the really far-fetched ones:

Sun An Bang (Yao Yuan Hao) and Qiu Jing Wen (Novia Lin). Are they cute or what? Well, in their own way. I like how it appeared that he was the strong one and she was the weakling YET they (the script-writers) extended that whole thing with making her being the only one that could tease him and how he would go clueless when he was around her. Well, somewhat at first. That was interesting since he seemed so tough the majority of the drama. It was different to show that he reacted differently around her. Then there was the whole thing with her not being able to tell directions at times, which restored their balance since she had a mix of this and that within her. Not too one dimensional or cliche either. They seriously complimented each other quite well with their own talents/abilities and/or personalities.

Sun An Bang (Yao Yuan Hao) and Jin Bi Ying (Debbie Huang). The reason why this pairing wouldn’t work is too obvious. Not because I support the other pairing since Jing Wen appeared later on, etc. But it was more like he couldn’t really relax around Bi Ying, and even though she did show her support toward him but he was just too serious around her. Treating her like a friend was already a push for him because he would often refer to her – or at least seemed to act that way around her–with her ranks and much respect in regard to that. Not to mention how they couldn’t communicate too well at times, like her jokes were lost on him, lol.

Yang Hai Sheng (Fu Zi Chun) and Zheng Yu Ting (Ye Jia Yu). A mixture of cuteness and cleverness, lol. Their banter was quite addicting to watch. They seriously were somewhat of a cliche couple with her liking him since little and him being somewhat of a player and all. But it wasn’t unrealistic or too dramatic so it was a nice touch. Their constant challenge–whether known or unknown by both parties–were too hilarious. What made the whole thing even more addicting to watch was not making one or the other too weak. She was seriously too cute but wasn’t clueless about things. Though at times she faked innocence to lure him into her traps but it was quite graceful how she did it. She did go overboard that one time but it somewhat made him realize about his past behaviors and the funniest thing was using his morbid mode to deceive her (with Da Tong’s help). YET when she found out, it was all over again with the competition, LOL! Anyway, they were on the same level but their story differed from the other couples’ hence making it unique for the overall drama.

Lin Bo Wen (Derek Chen) and Tian Xin (Kelly Pai). A somewhat lost cause for them already but maybe they could start anew in the future? Considering how Bo Wen had seriously thought things over, wanting to do more with his life than just focusing on love? Maybe after some time apart and pursuing their own path, they could one day reunite?

Yu Shan Ren (Ah Pang) and Wang Sheng Nan (Liu Xiang Ci). Okay, from past posts, it’s obvious that I’m shipping for this pairing more than the other. And again, it was mostly due to the fact that the script-writers had teased us so much at the beginning with their possible pairing. AND oh hey, they did have chemistry. There were hilarious scenes as well as scenes where he was quite considerate toward her. I honestly think they compliment each better since they were on opposite sides. He was more relaxed at times and was quite supportive of her when she wanted to conquer her fear or other times where he cheered her up. She could get quite worked up with his pervert behaviors at times or when he was goofing off too much, but it was still funny and enjoyable. And maybe I’m just too stubborn. But maybe it was better they didn’t end up together because of the lapse between their ranks. Well, like he would care so much, but who knows what happens in the future? Off screen though, I thought they had a lot of chemistry as well. Maybe because they worked together hosting on that one show so they understood many of the subtle signals at times. (I’m talking about their signals during one of the concerts.)

Luo Gang (Tang Feng) and Wang Sheng Nan (Liu Xiang Ci). They matched wit-per-wit already, not backing down regardless of how much they care for one another. I have mixed feelings for them at times. It’s not only because of the reasons mentioned above (aka shipping for Shan Ren and Sheng Nan) more but it had to do with the clashes in their personalities. But was glad that they ended up together anyway, considering how they really cared for one another. (AND it would be a shame if she had to settle.)

Cai Hao Zhi (Hao Zi) and Liu Su Qing (Becky Chang). Not really my favorite couple. Though I no longer blame her for her schemes at the beginning. Maybe because the show already ended so I don’t really care anymore. But their story wasn’t as appealing to me. Okay, so they had their fair share of moments too with him being jealous and finally realizing he did care for her. Yet I guess I wasn’t into the formula for their story. I admit their story indeed was quite different from the others too since she was quite daring, fighting for her love. Yet I wasn’t as into it.

Cai Hao Zhi (Hao Zi) and Ye Xiao Yan (Achel Chang). It was only a little scheme with Hao Zhi trying to get Su Qing jealous but I thought they were quite cute together too, acting so close and all. LOL! It sparked some jealousy from Wu Yong as well. And it was really a riot. One of those classic moments.

Qiu Yu Shun (Ah Xiang) and Ye Xiao Yan (Achel Chang). At first, I thought they were really cute together and would make it to the end–with the possibility that Da Tong would approve more. Like those typical formula with earning the older brother’s trust. Yet it wasn’t so since You Shun’s one wrong decision tore them apart. The others understood his situation and Xiao Yan understood too later on. Yet the trust was already gone and perhaps call it that they didn’t pass the test. NOT that I don’t like them because I was really into them at first too hence I was really torn between him and Wu Yong later on–as to who she should end up with. I guess the plot development did make sense so I can’t complain about that.

Wang Wei (Zhao Jun Ya) and Yan Xiao Rou (Tang Zhen). Okay, did I say the others were cute? I think I overused it already. But I don’t know. It’s hard not to use it on these two. I think out of all the pairings, they had the least screen time together yet the point wasn’t miss. They were mad cute all right. She was somewhat a klutz and perhaps a tad on the naive side? YET it wasn’t too fake either. It was enough. He was sort of protective of her at times and was really patient with her, especially trying to help her gain confidence during the haircut incident. Then there was also the whole thing with shielding her from Shan Ren’s teasing words, lol. Their other scenes were equally addicting to watch, especially the scene where he was tending to her hand–because she cut herself. (DARN, clumsy girl all right.) But he was really attentive and dropped his books right away to go and take care of her. Aww… What was kind of funny was how he asked her out later but didn’t know the difference between a typical dinner and a date? OR was that it? I had somewhat forgot already. Need to watch again later. But it was really cute seeing the role reversal with her being the one ‘knowing it’ while he was somewhat clueless. He was so boyish at that point and she somewhat became the experienced one.

Wu Yong (Xia Zheng Feng) and Ye Xiao Yan (Achel Chang). OMG, I didn’t see it coming since though it seemed like they were the odd bickering couple but I thought it was just him liking to tease her. Like sometimes it happen with the older bro’s friend. YET it showed some possibilities when the guys saw her at the pool swimming and they had the challenge. They were honestly too cute later on though. Not that they weren’t at first. Their story was really well developed–with how it wasn’t really trying to convince. Maybe because it was the lapse in the story at times so it wasn’t forcing us into acknowledging them but more like it fitted in perfectly with other events of the story. (Just like most of the relationships in here.) The transition with their story and how their feelings changed toward one another–mostly for the better–was really nice. Like I said already, not forced at all. It was just how it happened with her and You Shun, and she needed time to cool down before she would realize of Wu Yong’s existence. Okay, she knew he was around BUT he was still her brother’s annoying friend. But her views changed toward him later. It was slowly as well. They (the script-writers) had him liking her and realizing her considerate side first, and then moving on to develop her side of the story. The result? Tying it together at last. Quite suitable.

So, what about favorite couples? Well, I’ll be lying if I say I don’t have a particular favorite and all couples contributed to the story. True that they all did. But my favorites are actually a toss between Hai Sheng and Yu Ting, Wang Wei and Xiao Rou, and finally Wu Yong and Xiao Yan. What about the others? Um…it either didn’t happen or I felt kind of robbed, LOL! I did get over it already, especially An Bang and Jing Wen AND Shan Ren and Sheng Nan, but that did not mean I would let it go completely. What about least favorite? Hao Zhi and Su Qing, and then Bo Wen and Tian Xin. It would be too unrealistic if I say I like those two couples as well. Hao Zhi and Su Qing were too silly for me at times. Then there was the whole poor timing toward the end with putting in their get together. (Yeah, the part where Luo Gang was still moping in the hospital and all. Though I’m being somewhat unfair because they did have the get together with the other guys at Wu Yong’s place too BUT that seemed less random? I don’t know.) Regarding Bo Wen and Tian Xin, again, NOT about blaming her but I found them kind of too boring, lol. NOT their characters, just their story together, etc. Kind of cliche and somewhat too dramatic.

Okay, so I’m not going to include part 2 anymore because honestly, it focused on the operations most of the time. Though there were obvious signs of some people pursuing others YET they had no wrap up? OR had no time? So I’ll skip that for now. Maybe I’ll come back later. We’ll see. Possibly I need a second watch to discuss more.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot, but what made me love the whole formula of this drama is seeing how they didn’t force a new pairing into the picture when they entered part 2 – even though some of the characters’ significant others weren’t around anymore. Like how they did mention Hai Sheng and Yu Ting and also Wu Yong and Xiao Yan. It was an ongoing story and it made sense that those characters didn’t appear in part 2. But it did not mean they needed to break Wu Yong and Xiao Yan up and made him pair up with one of the new characters. The consistency made it even more realistic and lovable. Like one person not being around did mean he/she had to be replaced. Xiao Yan wasn’t around but it did not mean she ceased to exist just because the focus was no longer on the base (and other characters there). I will admit I was scared they would pair Wu Yong up with one of the new characters as well. Though I have no problems with the additional female characters in part 2, but I was against the idea of establishing a new relationship just like that. I meant it wouldn’t make sense that it took Wu Yong and Xiao Yan so much to get together and then break up just because? YEAH, so I was glad no one pulled that trick in part 2. (BEAT THAT TVB! YES, childish, but I had to put that in.)

And that wraps up the discussion for this time. What’s the topic for the next time? Favorite characters?

@vgag – I didn’t say I hate them, LOL! I just feel robbed because of how the triangle was placed in by the script-writer(s). And you know how I hate those triangles, unless there are rare occasions. Anyway, glad you commented on this theme. (I already have another post regarding RD in the drafts BUT just need to finish it, lol. Just too much piling up though, considering how I want to talk about other things too.)